Vascular Flashcards
Vascular dx
What is the definition of an abdominal aortic aneurysm?
A dilation of the abdominal aorta to >1.5x its normal diameter, or >3cm
What are the two types of aneurysms?
Saccular
Fusiform
What are three causes of abdominal aneursyms?
Atheroma
Trauma
CTD (Marfans, ED)
What are the presenting symptoms of AAAs?
Majority are asymptomatic
Can complain of pain/pulsation in the back
What are the risk factors for AAAs?
Male CTD Hypertension Hypercholesterolaemia Smoking
What is the mortality rate of ruptured AAAs?
90%
What is the presentation of a ruptured AAA?
Severe abdominal pain, radiating to the back
What can be found on examining a Pt with AAA?
Retroperitoneal bleeding -> Grey Turner’s/Cullen’s
Hypovolaemic shock -> low BP/high HR
What is the screening criteria for AAAs?
Males >65yrs
What is the modality of investigation for AAAs?
Ultrasound scan
What is the management plan for small AAAs (3.5-4.4cm)?
Follow up scan in 1 year Conservative management -smoking, exercise, weight loss Medical management -statins, aspirin, BP management
What is the management plan for medium AAAs (4.5-5.4cm)?
Follow up scan in 3 months Conservative management -smoking, exercise, weight loss Medical management -statins, aspirin, BP management
What is the management plan for large AAAs (5.5cm+)?
Open aortic surgery
Endovascular repair
What are the cons of open aortic surgery?
Longer recovery time hence done on young patients
What are the cons of endovascular repair?
Less peri-op mortality but greater risk of needing more procedures
What is the definition of an aortic dissection?
A tear in the tunica intima causing blood accumulation between the inner and outer tunica media.
What is the Stanford Classification of aortic dissections?
Type A- ascending aorta tear
Type B- descending aorta tear (after the left subclavian)
What are the risk factors of an aortic dissection?
HTN Atherosclerosis CTD Iatrogenic (angiography/plasty) Congenital- coarctation Cocaine
What are the presenting symptoms of aortic dissections?
Sudden central tearing pain in the back
What can happen if the tear affects the carotids?
Hemiparesis
Blackouts
What can happen if the tear affects the coronary arteries?
Angina
MI
What can happen if the tear affects the renal arteries?
AKI
Renal failure
What can happen if the tear affects the coeliac trunk?
Abdominal pain
What can you find on examination of a Pt with aortic dissection?
Tachycardia BP difference of >20mmHg in upper limbs Radio-radial delay Wide pulse pressure Murmur below scapulae
What are the two key signs of aortic insufficiency?
Collapsing pulse
Early diastolic murmur
(Aortic regurgitation)
What bloods investigations would you do for aortic dissection and why?
FBC, U&Es- renal damage
Xmatch- 10 units of blood for hypotension
Cardiac enzymes- heart attack
What would you see in a CXR of a Pt with aortic dissection?
Widened mediastinum
Visible aortic notch
Why would you do a CT angiography of a Pt with aortic dissection?
Visualise the location of the dissection
Which is the best diagnostic intervention for aortic dissection?
CT angio
A 69 year old man with a background of hypertension complained of flank pain all day at work. He then has sudden onset abdominal pain that radiates to his back and groin. He arrives in an ambulance unconscious. The doctor notes Grey Turner’s and Cullen’s signs. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Renal colic
B. Myocardial ischaemia
C. Ruptured AAA
D. Pancreatitis
C. Ruptured AAA
A 65 year old gentleman is coming in for screening for a AAA following a letter received in the post. What modality would be used as a screening tool?
A. Abdominal ultrasound
B. Abdominal CT
C. Abdominal X-ray
D. Doppler ultrasound
A. Abdominal Ultrasound
A 65 year old gentleman with a known AAA (last measured 5.2 cm) comes in complaining of severe abdominal pain. What investigation would you use to assess if it has ruptured?
A. Abdominal ultrasound
B. Abdominal CT
C. Abdominal X-ray
D. Doppler ultrasound
B. Abdominal CT
A 70 year old gentleman with known hypertension presents to A&E with tearing chest pain, radiating to the back. His CXR shows a widened mediastinum. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Aortic dissection
B. STEMI
C. Tietze’s syndrome
D. Costochondritis
A. Aortic dissection
Which of the following examination findings is not consistent with an aortic dissection?
A. BP 100/40
B. Ejection systolic murmur
C. Collapsing pulse
D. Radio-radio delay
B. Ejection systolic murmur